The Entrance Ceremony
The Grand Hall was buzzing with energy as more students poured in, their footsteps echoing on the marble floors. The banners of Ardent Academy, each representing a different school of magic, warrior discipline, and more, hung from the walls, fluttering slightly as if they had a life of their own. The light filtering in from the enchanted windows gave the room an ethereal glow, the kind that made you feel like you were standing in the heart of something important. And in a way, we were.
I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the event ahead. Despite the grandiose setting, I couldn't shake the weight of the task at hand. Here, among these students, I was just one of many, and I wasn't sure if that made me feel better or worse.
Damon, however, seemed perfectly at ease. "So, any bets on how long it'll take before someone challenges another to a duel?"
I glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "I'm not betting on anything. This place is a powder keg, and it's going to blow sooner or later."
Damon grinned. "Then I'll just enjoy the show."
I couldn't help but smirk, shaking my head. Always the optimist. Or the troublemaker, depending on how you looked at it.
The ceremony began with a loud, booming voice announcing the start, and the Chancellor of the academy, a tall and imposing man in his late fifties, stepped forward. His presence commanded attention, and the room went silent immediately.
"Students, welcome to Ardent Academy!" His voice was deep and resonant, echoing throughout the hall. "Here, you will be tested not only in your ability to wield power but in your capacity for growth. Your talents, your potential, and your future will be shaped here, in these hallowed halls. Only the strongest, the most determined, and the most cunning will rise to the top. Now, let us begin."
A round of applause filled the room, but it felt more like a formality than a true celebration. Everyone here knew the stakes. They weren't just here to learn; they were here to prove themselves.
As the Chancellor spoke, I scanned the crowd, my Appraisal skill still running, picking up names, powers, and talents of those around me. Some were intriguing, some were terrifying, and others... well, let's just say they had potential but didn't yet know how to harness it.
My attention was drawn to a few individuals, each with power that stood out among the crowd.
---
[Appraisal Results]
▶ Name: Lyra Velstara
▶ Age: 20
▶ Power: Moonlight Arcana (Rank A-)
▶ Profession: Heir of the Velstara Mage Clan
▶ Luck: Very High
▶ Talents: Master Tactician, Unshakable Focus, ???
---
Lyra stood near the front, her posture perfect, her eyes sharp. She radiated the kind of calm confidence that could only come from someone who had been trained since childhood. The Velstara Clan was known for producing mages of the highest caliber, and if her power was anything to go by, she would be a force to be reckoned with.
---
[Appraisal Results]
▶ Name: Raikhan Ordeus
▶ Age: 21
▶ Power: Stormbreaker's Will (Rank A+)
▶ Profession: Mercenary Captain
▶ Luck: Average
▶ Talents: Extreme Endurance, ???, ???
---
Raikhan stood to the side, arms crossed, surveying the room with a look of quiet disdain. His power, Stormbreaker's Will, was formidable, and the aura around him suggested that he had seen more battles than most of the students here combined. His profession as a Mercenary Captain likely meant he was here for personal reasons, but one thing was clear—he wasn't here to make friends.
---
[Appraisal Results]
▶ Name: Kieran of the Crimson Fang
▶ Age: 22
▶ Power: Bloodforged Combat (Rank S-)
▶ Profession: Heir of the Crimson Fang Clan
▶ Luck: High
▶ Talents: ???, ???, ???
---
Kieran was the one I had been keeping my eye on. His power was ranked S-, which was unheard of for someone his age. The Crimson Fang Clan's reputation was notorious for a reason. Demonic blood ran through their veins, and their heirs were always considered some of the most dangerous individuals in the empire. Kieran's presence alone made the other students wary, and for good reason. I had to keep my distance.
---
[Appraisal Results]
▶ Name: Elysia Valebourne
▶ Age: 18
▶ Power: Celestial Light (Rank A)
▶ Profession: Heir of the Valebourne Family
▶ Luck: Very High
▶ Talents: ???, ???, ???
---
My own name caught my attention. Elysia Valebourne. A strange reaction swept over me—was it possible that I had an heir? Or was this an entirely different branch of the Valebourne family? Whatever the case, her power was strong, her talents yet hidden, and I couldn't help but feel a strange connection to her.
---
As the ceremony continued, my thoughts turned inward. Here I was—Ezra Valebourne, a professor at the academy, watching students with extraordinary powers and even more extraordinary legacies. Some were born with the blood of gods, demons, and mythical creatures. Some were part of prestigious clans or noble houses, while others were commoners sponsored by powerful families to attend. But all of them had something in common: they were here to fight for their place in this world.
Damon leaned in, nudging me lightly. "Look at all these monsters. It's like every corner of the empire is sending its best. I'm not sure whether to be scared or impressed."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Both, I guess."
The Chancellor continued his speech, but my mind was already racing. There were so many potential allies here, but just as many potential enemies. The Crimson Fang Clan heir, Kieran, would certainly be a problem. But I had other concerns too—those with bloodlines from gods and demons, those with mysterious powers, those who had yet to reveal their true strength.
I wasn't just here to teach. I was here to learn, to grow stronger, and to prepare for the battles ahead. And in this place, where the strong rose above the weak, only the most powerful would survive